Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne


FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2013

DEAR JERRY: There's a song by Mel Tillis that I can't find anywhere. Maybe you can help me.

It begins with his boss sending him out of town on business, to Texas I think.

There he meets a willing woman, but, being married, he chooses not have an affair.
—Richard Jonen, Elkhorn, Wis.


DEAR RICHARD: Despite a couple of discrepancies, one of which is colossal, I believe the song you seek is "Send Me Down to Tucson" (MCA 40983), a big hit in early 1979. The original single can quickly be found online for about two bucks. It is also on several Mel Tillis albums.

"Send Me Down to Tucson" is from the 1978 movie, "Every Which Way But Loose," starring Clint Eastwood.

Not surprisingly, this tune topped the country charts in Arizona, while peaking at No. 2 on Billboard.

More significant than the mistaken destination (not Texas) are the events of the serendipitous rendezvous, as summarized by these few lines:

"No one wants to go down to Tucson in the summer
So this time the boss chose me
I've been sort of restless, guess he thought it might help if
I got away from my wife and family
There's been no other woman since the mother of my children
And in each and every way she's a lady
Now there's one that I'll remember, a sultry night we spent together
And she satisfied the love inside of me
Go on and send me down to Tucson and I'll get the job done
And call up the one whose love is free"

Should the free love become known at the company headquarters, there may be plenty of volunteers for desert duty, even in the 100-plus degree weather (at the time of this writing, it is 108 in Tucson, and 116 in Phoenix).



DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller, or Jimmy Dorsey having five of the Top 10 songs.

It got me wondering how many times there were more than five versions of the same song in the Top 100, particularly in the 1950s when cover records were everywhere.

Was "Fascination" one? I know several artists recorded it.
—Lloyd Carlson, Buffalo, N.Y.




DEAR LLOYD: Topping the list, with seven separate entries (May 5, 1956) is "Man with the Golden Arm," albeit with slight variations musically as well as with the title.

In order of ranking that week, with exact title and artist, they are:

17 "Themes from The Man with the Golden Arm" (Richard Maltby and His Orchestra)
28 "Main Title & Molly O (From the Otto Preminger Film The Man with the Golden Arm)" (Dick Jacobs and His Orchestra and Chorus)
38 "Main Title from The Man with the Golden Arm" (Elmer Bernstein and Orchestra)
56 "Main Title — Golden Arm" (Les Elgart and His Orch.)
68 "Main Title (From the Film The Man with the Golden Arm)" (Billy May and His Orchestra)
69 "Delilah Jones (Based on Main Title theme from the Otto Preminger Film The Man with the Golden Arm)" (McGuire Sisters (with Dick Jacobs Orchestra and Chorus)
97 "Main Title from The Man with the Golden Arm)" (Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra)

One that didn't chart, issued about six months later, but still worth mentioning is "The Man with the Golden Arm," by Sammy Davis Jr., with Morty Stevens and Orchestra.

Several performers recorded "Fascination," but never were there more than these four charted at the same time: Jane Morgan; David Carroll; Dick Jacobs; and Dinah Shore, all in September 1955.

Twice in the '50s, six versions of the same song held Top 100 positions:

"Autumn Leaves" (November 12, 1955): (2) Roger Williams at the Piano; (44) Steve Allen with George Cates and His Orchestra; (54) Victor Young and His Singing Strings; (64) Mitch Miller, His Orch. & Chorus; (67) Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra; (100) Ray Charles Singers.

"(Moritat) Theme from The Three Penny Opera" (February 18, 1956): (13) Dick Hyman Trio; (23) Richard Hayman and Jan August; (54) Les Paul; (57) Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra; (61) Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars; (64) Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music. Exact titles do vary.



IZ ZAT SO? Though cover versions were less common in the '60s, they still existed.

Twice in the same year, and three times overall, the Top 100 included four versions of the same song:

"Look for a Star" (June 20, 1960): (85) Dean Hawley; (88) Garry Miles; (92) Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra; (99) Gary Mills. All four made their chart debut that same week.

"Love Is Blue (L'amour Est Bleu)" (February 24, 1968): (1) Paul Mauriat and His Orchestra; (57) Al Martino; (97) Claudine Longet; (100) Manny Kellem, His Orchestra and Voices. Exact titles do vary.

Not often will you find a chart with the same song at No. 1 and No. 100.

"Here Comes the Judge" (June 15, 1968): (19) Shorty Long; (62) Magistrates Featuring Jean Hillary; (82) Pigmeat Markham; (93) Buena Vistas. Exact titles do vary.


 
 

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net     Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2013 Osborne Enterprises - Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes


from our friends at polyvinylrecords.com

Pre-Order of Montreal The Sunlandic Twins Picture Disc

From theatrical live performances to eye-popping album artwork, of Montreal has always been as much about what you see as what you hear.

And now, the band's visual and musical dimensions are even more closely linked on this beautiful picture disc edition of their beloved 2005 album, The Sunlandic Twins.

Here, the record itself serves as the showcase for David Barnes' iconic imagery and Kevin Barnes' superlative songwriting. And it has never looked or sounded better.

Featuring of Montreal favorites such as "Wraith Pinned to the Mist," "Oslo in the Summertime," "So Begins Our Alabee," and many more, this landmark album will only be available on picture disc via this one-time, limited edition pressing of 535 numbered copies.

Over half of the pressing is already sold, so if you want one -- pre-order now!

Pre-Order HERE

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Pre-order Death Cab For Cutie, Brett Nelson

Electronic Anthology Project Of Death Cab For Cutie 7 Inch

Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) & Brett Nelson (Built To Spill) re-imagine 2 Death Cab songs as New Wave circa 1982, in the latest installment of The Electronic Anthology Project. Brett re-works the instrumental track with synthesizers & drum machine & Ben contributes new vocals. Features "Soul Meets Body (Plans)" & "Champagne from A Paper Cup (Something About Airplanes)." (ltd ed color vinyl 7")

Pre-Order HERE



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For immediate release:

The Stanleys Release Kid’s Gonna Rock Vinyl, Tour Dates

Just in time for summer, The Stanley’s are at it again, bringing the world the pop-heavy Kid’s Gonna Rock 7” Vinyl split with fellow power popsters The Mynd Gardners to be released worldwide on July 1st, produced by Ken Stringfellow (REM) and Andy Lawson (Eskimo Joe).

Exuding a sense of freedom echoed by the bands musical journeys around the world, the high-energy title track, “Kid’s Gonna Rock,” is an upbeat pop anthem with driving guitar and an addictive chorus that has recently been added to Harmonix’s Rock Band for XBOX 360.

With the summer of 2012 came The Stanleys’ infectious debut offering, the “Always-EP”, receiving praise from a budding community of fans and spinning on medium to high rotation on US college Radio and London’s Radio 2. They rode the wave of the ‘Always – EP’ success, playing all over the world including the prominent CMJ, NXNE, and the world’s largest festival, Summerfest.

The Stanleys are taking on the world again this July for the KID’S GONNA ROCK TOUR in support of their Kid’s Gonna Rock 7” Vinyl, with dates in the US, Europe, China, and Australia. The world better watch out because these kids are gonna rock!

Pressed on gorgeous purple vinyl. Includes their tracks "Misinterpreted" and "Recharge Your Mind" (download code for these included with vinyl).

Order HERE

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Vinyl-only public library opens in London - The volunteer-run Vinyl Library is stocked exclusively by donations







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Bob Dylan’s electric guitar from Newport Folk Festival 1965 is for sale









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Kiss Poster Sells for More Than $3,000











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like all lists on the net, certainly up for debate.  But how can you not include "lodi" is beyond me...


Top 10 Creedence Clearwater Revival Songs







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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 6/24 - 6/30, 2013

Vinyl Top 25:
1. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
2. Jason Isbell - Southeastern
3. Mavis Staples - One True Vine
4. The Shins - Live At Third Man
5. The Kills - Live At Third Man
6. Boards Of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest
7. Daughter - If You Leave
8. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City
9. Smith Westerns - Soft Will
10. Townes Van Zandt - In The Beginning
11. Queens Of The Stone Age - Like Clockwork
12. Cooper - Motown Suite
13. Bass Drum Of Death - Bass Drum Of Death
14. Public Image Ltd - Public Image
15. Sigur Ros - Kveikur
16. D Watusi - Dark Party
17. Della Mae - This World Oft Can Be
18. Rose Windows - Sun Dogs
19. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
20. Ray Lamontagne - Trouble
21. Peter Buck - You Must Fight To Live On The Planet Of The Apes 7"
22. The Allman Brothers - Brothers & Sisters
23. Big Star - Nothing Can Hurt Me
24. Jane's Addiction - Live In NYC
25. The Features - The Features